Steve Bilheimer quickly looked for some wood and found it below his feet — the basketball court at Ledyard High School — when talking about senior wrestler Ryan Wade.

“Knock on wood,” the Colonels coach said, bending down. “We’re just trying to keep him healthy.”

Wade had just returned from what was originally diagnosed as a slipped disc in his back. Fortunately, it was never found to be that serious.

On Wednesday night, Wade pinned Mark Perry of Norwich Free Academy in 1 minute, 21 seconds. That began a streak where Ledyard pinned four of five wrestlers that allowed it to breathe easy in a 54-15 win.

Staying healthy is a key ingredient for any wrestling team at this time of year, and Bilheimer hopes he can be successful not only with Wade, but the entire team. It’s been difficult, however.

Rob Drury was out of the lineup again at 113 pounds because of a medical condition, but Josh Rahal stepped in to earn a win by decision. The Colonels (6-0, 3-0 ECC Large), the second-ranked team in the state according to the latest Bulletin coaches’ poll, were missing three starters for the Bristol Central Invitational this past Saturday, yet still won the event that featured three top-10 teams.

“Our team is really good,” Wade said, “and if someone is out, we have a good back-up coming in for them — we have JV kids who could be varsity wrestlers on half the other teams,” Wade proudly declared.

Depth, Bilheimer agrees, is a strength for the Colonels. That will be key over the next few weeks before the real fun begins with the Eastern Connecticut Conference tournament on Feb. 8. Before then, there will be plenty of tests along the way.

Just about all the top 10 teams are represented in that stretch with the exception of one, No. 1 Danbury. If the Colonels and Hatters meet, it will be in the State Open, an event Danbury had owned for 10 consecutive years until Bacon Academy broke the string in 2011, and Xavier followed in 2012. Could Ledyard beat Danbury there?

“I know a lot of people are saying good things about us (Ledyard did receive a one first-place vote in the latest poll), but at the same time, we have to wait and see,” Bilheimer said. “(Danbury is) a tough team year in and year out — a well-coached, excellent program — and even though they have been beaten the last two years, they’re always in the fight. Do we have a shot? I think if we have our best day at the State Open, anything’s possible.”

The Wildcats (7-7, 1-1) hung in early against the Colonels. Tyler Courter and Edgar Charles won two of the first three matches by decision before Wade started the pin parade.

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“We could have done better,” NFA coach Greg Perry said. “I don’t like all those pins happening. That’s a big problem for us and its something we have to improve on.”